Bear Den

Here is the picture of the bear den I was talking about last week. As an hibernation station, you can see this will be the winter home of a pretty stout animal. Walk softly and carry a big gun.

Made to Worship

Yesterday was historic for the Milwaukee Brewers. They have not been in Major League Baseball playoffs for 26 years. That drought ended yesterday. They had to win and the New York Mets had to lose for them to make the post-season. This picture is the reaction of the Milwaukee crowd after the last out of the Mets' loss. It was being watched on the big screen at Brewers stadium. By this time Milwaukee had already won their game.

The natural response of these fans would make for an expressive Sunday morning at any Church.

Psalm 63:4 "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."

Psalm 119:48 "I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees."

Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD."

There are some that don't feel it is appropriate or natural or necessary to "worship" in such demonstrative ways. Dignity and decorum at Church are rules that might as well be idols - as if emotions are sinful. Well, that's not like any sporting event I've ever been to.

I would say that the joy of sins forgiven, hope for a future, guilt and shame neutralized and eternal life supply a reason to give thanks in a very expressive way.

Thinking Clearly

Every year I take a week to get away from it all to pray, study, ponder, dream, plan, strategize, and think clearly. I think everyone should do it. So this week is my week. I am in northern Wisconsin - kind of an "in the middle of nowhere" place.

I have come here for years and have my friends Ken and Kay Hansen to thank for letting me utilize their place. For me, it is a huge prayer room. I have many strong memories here. I was in "the woods" today and walked right by a certain tree that reminded me of prayers I prayed in the midst of my uncertainty regarding the cancer that was in my body at that time. Another spot during that same time when I realized I had no fear of dying. This is a place of significance. The Israelites marked places where God did great and memorable things with altars. I am still trying to figure out how to do something like that.

On another note, as I was walking through the woods today I saw a HUGE bear den. It is too early for bears to hibernate so there was no danger of encountering one, but the opening was so large that it immediately made me nervous. If I were around here this winter, I know of one place I would not visit.

You can be assured I am praying for you this week.

Taj Mahal

(See the Taj Mahal in the reflection of my glasses)

The Taj Mahal is an amazing place located in Agra, India. It is a three hour train ride from Delhi.

As you probably know, the Taj is not a palace but a mausoleum. In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal's period of greatest prosperity, was grief stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child. It took him 22 years to build. It is an unbelievable work of art as white marble dominates the construction. There is not an ounce of paint on it as all designs are inlaid semi-precious stones.

I cannot imagine a more symmetrical project in the world. From the building to the entire grounds, everything is balanced with a mirror image.

You really get the impression that this husband never totally got over the death of his wife. Amazing place.

Inadvertent Overhearing

I got one of those calls early this morning. It is one of those calls introduced to us by the mobile phone industry. I answer the call from a name I recognize and, although we are connected, there is no conversation. Yet I now am in the uncomfortable and awkward world of inadvertent eavesdropping. My buddy has accidentally hit the number on his phone that calls my number, and now I am a "fly on the wall" in his world – and don't want to be.

My dad did this all the time when he first got his mobile phone. I remember listening to 5 minutes of him whistling while he worked waiting to embarrass him when he finally realized what had happened. Never happened. He still doesn't know.

There was nothing incriminating about what I heard today. I have no leverage now with my friend. Just that weird position of being included in a dialog for which I was not intended.

I hope God never feels that way about me. May I remember that, as no secret to me, God is there and is aware of every conversation and interaction I am part of today, and every day.

Road Rage

Last week I told you about some of the roads we travelled while in India mentioning that what we call a single lane gravel road, they call a freeway. Well, here is an example of what I was talking about. There were numerous times when we would have to collapse the mirrors of our vehicle to get by oncoming traffic (at times trucks or large buses) therefore only inches for clearance. The tension for us foreigners was very real. So many times it was difficult to look over the edge so as not to be reminded of the lack of guard rail protection. To add to the unsettled feeling, vehicles in India are driven in the left lane and steering wheels on the right, so it already felt weird.

Nice to be back in the right lane.

Sunday Footware

It was so great to be back at ECC today after spending last Sunday out of the country. Above are the two Churches we attended last Sunday half way around the world. You notice the shoes outside both places as everyone takes off their shoes before entering. It is mainly a practical reason. Because in most Churches you sit on the ground so shoes and the dirt on them is not good to sit in. My first time in bare feet in Church since childhood.

Today I had my shoes on at Church.

It has only been a week since I was gone and I only missed one Sunday, it just seemed like I was gone longer because of everything assimilated on the trip.

As you see this blog this week, you will see some of the images from the trip.

Make it a great week.

Thin Air

We spent the night in Mussoorie sleeping in thin air. The altitude is about 8000 ft. above sea level. Yesterday we trekked back into the mountains to visit some villages. On the way we experienced views that are beyond description. Beyond description.

I feel the same way about the brothers and sisters we met in those villages. Their vision and passion humbles me. They told us our very presence encouraged them. Yet we went away inspired. Beyond description.

The other dimension of our day that was beyond description were the roads travelled. What we would call a remote, one lane gravel road, they call a freeway. Not to mention no guard rails to prevent you from falling thousands of feet before you would hit anything. Quite intense to say the least. Yet we lived to see another day - another great day in this vast country of about 1.4 billion.

We see the Taj Mahal tomorrow and head home on Friday.

A Long Haul

I have a computer for a few minutes at a slow connection speed and so I wanted to let everyone know that we arrived in India safe and sound. The sights, sounds and information taken in so far feels overwhelming. Amazing! The connection speed is to slow for downloading any pictures right now.

The flight was 9 hours to London, a two hour layover, and then another 9 hours to Delhi. Then a three hour layover and another hour long flight to our destination. A long haul!

We heard that there was an earthquake in Delhi this morning around 11:15 am. We had already left Delhi by then so it was all news to us.

I will never again be able to say - "I have never been to India." Awesome. This is a beautiful land with beautiful and hospitable people. Keep praying.

Off to India

I am minutes away from leaving for the airport and thought I would let everyone know that I don't think I will have any Internet access during this trip. If I do, I will post and let everyone know how things are going. That means if you comment, it will not get posted until I am back online.

I am really excited about this trip. Please pray for me, Steve and Valya Parshall and Melissa Goin as we are gone until next Friday.